Temptation is an issue that all people must face at some time or another, but as Christians we will face this more often than a person who is not saved.

The moment you become a Christian the devil will do everything possible to get you back. Yes, to get you back! Yes, before you were saved you belonged to him (the devil).As you became a Christian you entered into spiritual warfare and the battle rages all round you.

First of all temptation is not a sin in its self. Sin is when the temptation has gone from the mind to an action. We need to understand how to stand against this attack upon our mind and our spiritual standing.

Lets look at Jesus to see how he handled temptation.

Hebrews 4:14 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are--yet was without sin. 16 Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. (NIV)   

1/ Is temptation a sin?……………………………………                   
2/ Is Christ the same as us in this matter?………………………                    
3/ What does the devil want to do to us?……………………….                   
4/ Who did you belong to when you were not saved?…………….                  
5/ Who do you belong to now?……………………………

Luke 4: 1 Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the desert, 2 where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and at the end of them he was hungry. (NIV) 

6/ When you are Saved and filled with the Holy Spirit, what will come?………

Luke 4:3 The devil said to him, "If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread."4 Jesus answered, "It is written: `Man does not live on bread alone.' "5 The devil led him up to a high place and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. 6 And he said to him, "I will give you all their authority and splendor, for it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to. 7 So if you worship me, it will all be yours."8 Jesus answered, "It is written: `Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.' "9 The devil led him to Jerusalem and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. "If you are the Son of God," he said, "throw yourself down from here. 10 For it is written:" `He will command his angels concerning you to guard you carefully; 11 they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.' "12 Jesus answered, "It says: `Do not put the Lord your God to the test.' "13 When the devil had finished all this tempting, he left him until an opportune time. 14 Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about him spread through the whole countryside. 15 He taught in their synagogues, and everyone praised him. (NIV) 

7/ What did Jesus say to combat Temptation?…………………………..                   
8/ Does the devil use the Word of God?………………………………..                    
9/ After Jesus returned what happened to Him?…………………………

This is how Jesus defended Himself. Now what happen to us because we are weak?

Luke 22: 31 "Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. 32 But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers."33 But he replied, "Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death." (NIV) 

10/ Did Peter fall to temptation?……………….                   
11/ Did Jesus know that he was going to fall?…………….                  
12/ Should we condemn someone if they fall?…………………….

Matthew 26: 40 Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. "Could you men not keep watch with me for one hour?" he asked Peter. 41 "Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak." (NIV)

13/ Did Jesus the body is weak?………………………………………..                  
14/ What Jesus say to do to overcome temptation?………………….

1 Corinthians 10: 13 No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it. (NIV)

15/ Do we have an excuse to sin?…………………………………                 
16/ What will God provide?…………………………………..

Luke 11: 4 Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation. (NIV)

James 4:7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9 Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up. (NIV)

17/ If we ask forgiveness will God forgive us?……………………………

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.

Ephesians 6: 11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints. (NIV)

18/ What do we need to put on?………………………………………..                 
19/ List the five pieces of armor.
The armor of GOD
1/…………………………….
2/…………………………….
3/……………………………
4/……………………………….
5/……………………………..
20/ List the two weapons of God.
The weapons of GOD
6/………………………………..
7/…………………………………

We are covered in the BLOOD OF CHRIST and nothing can penetrate it.